Well-known names will highlight the program for Fuquay-Varina’s Centennial Gala on Oct. 10.

Charlie Gaddy, news anchor and senior editor for WRAL-TV’s newscast for 24 years, now retired, will emcee the event.

The Band of Oz, a beach music group popular across the south, will provide music for dancing after dinner until midnight.

The Paolantonio Jazz Trio will provide background music during the Gala reception beginning at 5:30.

Gaddy, who retired from WRAL in 1994, has collected numerous awards for television broadcasting over the years, and has been inducted into the North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He has won the Silver Circle Award presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In 1989 the WRAL-TV’s 6 p.m. news was judged the best the “Best in the Nation” by UPI (United Press International) for its 1988 tornado coverage. Gaddy received the Edward R Murrow Award for the documentary “Troubled Waters,” and in 1992 was awarded an Emmy for News Excellence.

In recent years the congenial, silver-haired Gaddy has served as emcee for numerous area events including several of the SPCA’s annual Furr Balls, charity events to benefit the organization that cares for and relocates homeless animals.

The Band of Oz, an eight-member group, was formed in 1967 as a part-time band playing fraternity parties and high school proms. In 1977 the band went on the road full time. Since then the group has made a name for itself throughout the Southeast, playing the top clubs and corporate parties. The band plays over 200 shows per year.

Additional dinner hour entertainment is to be announced.